Email: jrocha3@uic.edu
Phone: 312.413.0558
Jack Rocha, MUPP, has been a dedicated Community Development Planner with the Great Cities Institute (GCI) at the University of Illinois at Chicago since 2013. With a background in Political Science and Urban Planning and Policy from UIC, Jack’s work focuses on urban planning, research, and fostering meaningful connections between local communities and GCI’s Neighborhoods Initiative. His collaborative efforts span projects like commercial corridor plans for South Chicago and Calumet City, as well as neighborhood plans for Rosemoor, North Pullman, and Back of the Yards.
Jack’s portfolio spotlights the 100th Street Calumet River Project, initially identified during the 2016 South Chicago Commercial Avenue Revitalization. This river project exemplifies placemaking—a collaborative process that transforms public spaces to strengthen the connections between people and these places, enhancing the overall quality of life in a community. As part of GCI’s work to address enduring disparities in Chicago’s Southeast Side, an area shaped by its industrial past and underinvestment, Jack leads efforts to transform the 100th Street site into a vibrant community hub. He prioritizes the restoration of riverbank habitats, development of trails, and creation of public viewing areas. Central to his approach is actively engaging community members and organizations, ensuring the project’s success through inclusive participatory planning and strategic partnerships. His initiatives include organizing public events to gather community input and designing plans for naturalized river edges, pedestrian trails, gardens, and public art installations, fostering a cohesive vision for revitalization. Since the project’s inception, there have been four successful community site activations in collaboration with People’s Gas, further enhancing community involvement and impact.
In addition to the Calumet River Project, Jack is actively involved in other placemaking initiatives that focus on creating vibrant, engaging public spaces to foster community interaction and support local businesses. One significant project in this area is Jack’s collaboration with renowned artist Derric Clemmons, founder of South Worx Art Group, on The Underline. Clemmons envisioned “The Talking Tree,” a transformative initiative aimed at revitalizing the space under the Chicago Skyway. This project has started to turn the area into a vibrant plaza. Currently, the site has benches, a sculpture, and landscaping, creating a safe, inviting space for community members to gather, share ideas, and foster connections between South Chicago and Vet’s Park. This initiative exemplifies the essence of placemaking by enhancing community engagement and leaving a lasting positive impact on the area.
Jack’s broader environmental and community health efforts include significant contributions to the Calumet Connect initiative and Chicago’s River Ecology and Governance Task Force. His commitment to addressing environmental challenges and promoting healthier living conditions for residents is evident in his role in high-profile cleanup and redevelopment projects, such as the EPA’s Superfund priority cleanup of the Schroud/Acme Steel sites. The Superfund program, a federal initiative by the EPA, aims to locate, investigate, and clean up the most hazardous waste sites in the country. Jack’s role in these projects focuses on actively engaging and representing the community, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are prioritized. By working closely with residents and providing resources through the Great Cities Institute, Jack is dedicated to mitigating environmental hazards and enhancing community health in a way that truly reflects the community’s concerns and aspirations.
Jack also plays an active role in preserving Chicago’s architectural heritage through his participation in Chicago Workers Cottages Initiative, one of the city’s original affordable housing options. He organizes events as well as formulates surveys to gather community input, cataloging and celebrating these historic homes. His work highlights the cultural significance of Workers Cottages, ensuring they remain a valued part of Chicago’s architectural landscape.
Overall, driven by a passion for community development, urban design, and equitable urban planning, Jack Rocha’s work at GCI is characterized by truly participatory planning and collaboration. He is dedicated to bringing community members into the planning process, ensuring their voices and desires are central to the development agenda. Jack works with multiple stakeholders to find common ground in community development, always mindful of balancing organizational goals with the genuine needs and aspirations of the community. His commitment to alleviating disparities and promoting high standards in urban development continues to shape a more equitable and sustainable future for Chicago’s Southeast Side.
Jack is also deeply invested in enhancing his community development capacity by learning about the history of Chicago, particularly South Chicago. As an active lifetime member of the Southeast Chicago Historical Society, he contributes to its newsletter and enjoys focusing on the cultural history of the area, including bars, baseball, and the Catholic Church. Currently, Jack is engaged in research about theaters on the Southeast Side, further demonstrating his dedication to understanding and preserving the rich history of the communities he serves. By grounding his work in the community’s history and actively seeking their input, Jack ensures that his projects not only meet immediate needs but also honor the cultural legacy and long-term aspirations of the residents.